H7N9 update: 130 cases, 31 deaths! More evidence of Tamiflu resistance!

06 May 2013 (12:32 UTC-07 Tango)/25 Jumada t-Tania 1434/16 Ordibehest 1392/27 Ding-Si (3rd month) 4711

After several days of no reports, the Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission says the number of human case are now 129 (however, by my count it’s 130), and 31 people have died.

Two people in Fujian Province are infected. On 02 May there were 128 cases, so these two new cases makes 130.   42 people are reported to have recovered.

In Shandong Province a test of poultry waste at a market was positive for H7N9.  A chicken in a live market, in Jiangxi Province, was positive for H7N9, as well as a chicken in a market in Guangdong Province.

Health officials in Shanghai say that four men who were in critical condition did not benefit from anti-viral treatment with oseltamivir (Tamiflu).   Three of the men had not been in contact with birds.  One man died, two actually recovered, and one is apparently still hospitalized.

Health officials believe anti-viral treatment was started too late in the infection, that as the infection progresses it becomes much stronger.  They suggest starting anti-viral treatments ASAP.